CLEAN SWEEP!
Root punishes Sri Lanka spinners with cross-batted masterclass
IN A year of 17 Test matches, including home and away series against India and an ashes Down Under, what would be the first thing this England team want to click? Undoubtedly, Joe Root’s batting.
although he was not that bad last year, he would be the first to admit he wasn’t getting the scores his ability and history suggested he should.
He will probably end up as one of England’s greatest- ever players — he is two appearances shy of 100 Test matches and he has only just turned 30. There is a very good chance that, by the end of his career, he will be pushing Sir alastair Cook for every Test batting record going.
So his unbeaten 168 runs were a perfect reminder of that kind of status and hopefully, for both team and captain, a sign that Root’s form is returning to somewhere near its brilliant best. Even though he will be tested by stronger attacks, getting off to a flyer and putting a big score on the board is absolutely ideal for the 12 months that lie ahead.
not only have England got one of their best players back in form and firing, but it is likely to rub off on the team. as a captain, every decision you make becomes so much easier when you’re doing well yourself. Conversely, it becomes such a difficult job when you are constantly worrying about your own runs.
In 2021, England can’t afford to have Root distracted. all of his energy needs to be directed at contributing as a batsman and leading the side.
Yesterday, his balance and poise at the crease were exceptional. He is one of the best players of spin this country has produced and he rarely gets trapped in that in-between position of being half-forward. In fact, there was a moment before lunch when you could see he was cross with himself for doing just that.
Otherwise his decision-making was precise, either fully forward or, more regularly, right back on his stumps to play off the back foot. He has an ability to judge length so quickly.
When he plays like this against the spinners, it takes short-leg out of the equation, unless he is forcing them to take evasive action against one of his sweeps.
It was apparent that he swept more in this innings than any other, but he nailed every one and that would have infuriated the Sri Lanka bowlers.
There is no shot a spinner hates more than a sweep — if they’re bowling their best delivery on a length and it’s being struck with consummate ease for four, there is no real comeback.
The slower the wicket and the more the ball turns and grips in the surface, the more you have to look as a batsman to hit square rather than straight down the ground, and Root adapted to the conditions brilliantly.
anyone who played Muttiah Muralitharan well over the years — Brian Lara, andy Flower, Stephen Fleming — swept really well. On the subcontinent, it is a must-have shot in your armoury.
My one criticism of Root in the past has been that he is not selfish enough after reaching 50. He hasn’t got a selfish bone in his body. He embodies the team game, but grinding out a century is magnificent for both parties.
Sometimes when he gets to 50, he starts laughing with the umpires and looks to become even busier, but there was none of that in Galle. Here was a bloke at the top of his game saying: ‘You’re going to need something special to get me out.’
after five months without a first- class innings, he appeared to bat with a fresh mind. When you are fresh, your feet move better and your decision-making is precise.
His challenge in the year ahead is to play like this when that freshness leaves him.
There might be times against India and australia when he’s in the field for two days and worn down by the captaincy.
Can he be as crisp with his movements and decisions then? Root himself and the England management have to ensure he is in a position to be so.
Here was a bloke saying: ‘You will need something special to get me out’